Combine Results

Grade

4.49 SEC

10 REPS

33.0 INCH

116.0 INCH

6.71 SEC

4.21 SEC

Draft Analysis:

"Jones is a starting nickel corner with added value in the return game. Atypical of corners, he has great ball skills. He is a well-coached, technique-sound player." -- Mike Mayock

5'10" Height

31 3/8" Arm Length

197LBS. Weight

9 1/8" Hands

Overview

Jones switched from receiver to cornerback for his sophomore campaign in 2013, and then blossomed into a second-team All-SEC pick by league media in 2014 (three interceptions, 13 pass deflections) in spite of a torn labrum in his hip, which was surgically repaired in the offseason. He started all 15 games his senior year, improving in coverage (two INT, seven PBU) and putting to rest concerns about his hip. Teams might be more interested in him as a punt returner, though, as his four touchdowns on a nation-leading 42 attempts in 2015 (12.6 yard average) came up one short of tying the FBS record. A domestic violence charge that was dropped against him last spring will make teams take a hard look at his character references.

Analysis

Strengths

Press corner with good build and strong lower half. Plus play strength. Confident and tough. Able to reroute and maintain positioning on receivers. From off coverage waits as long as he can before opening hips to turn and run. Willing to mix it up and likes to test receivers early in the game in an attempt to intimidate them. Plays receivers physically when they try to block him and is excellent in run support. Diligent in run contain duties. Scouts say he is well liked in the locker room and has some edge. Excellent return man. Blistered coverage units with four punt return touchdowns this year. Nicknamed "Clamp Clampington".

Weaknesses

Doesn't check the height or length boxes teams want from outside cornerbacks. Run game awareness wanes when matched up in press coverage. Can be run up and off of run support. Not able to run with pure man­-cover speed. Allows receivers to uncover at the top of their routes and doesnt have desired recovery quickness. Plays with average balance. Inconsistent finding ball in man coverage. Needs better awareness of receivers behind him in zone coverage. Big receivers can go up and over him in the red zone.

Draft Projection

Round 3

Sources Tell Us

"He may need to get his Twitter game in check because I think he lets some of that stuff get to him, but it's just more fuel for his fire. He thinks everyone is always disrespecting him from media to the other team. I like him. You will never have to worry about his football character while hes in the league." -- NFL executive

NFL Comparison

Steven Nelson

Bottom Line

Has been a press corner who is comfortable in man coverage, but he will likely become a nickel cornerback who may be fitted to plenty of Tampa-2 coverage due to lack of speed. His ability to support against the run from the slot and return kicks could help drive his stock up beyond his actual cover abilities.